'Some' Hodgepodge

After taking a little break from the Wednesday Hodgepodge, I'm happy to say I'm back! Hopefully that means all systems go for the big event this weekend! I may not be heard from again until sometime next week, but by then I should have some photos to share of our daughter's wedding. In the meantime, stop over to visit Joyce, our gracious Hodgepodge hostess, and the others who've linked up for the fun.

 1. William Shakespeare's birthday is celebrated on April 23rd...when did you last read Shakespeare? What's your favorite Shakespeare play?

I last read Shakespeare in high school. I guess my favorite Shakespeare play would be Romeo and Juliet, and the picture below is the version I remember. Oh yes, I read it, but it was also available in movie form.

Also when I was in high school, I was in the community theater group's production of "Kiss Me Kate," and I learned that it is based on Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. I have never read it, and I don't remember too much about either play, but occasionally I remember the lyrics of this song:

We open in Venice,
We next play Verona,
Then on to Cremona.
Lotsa quail in Cremona.
Our next jump is Parma,
That heartless, tartless menace,
Then Mantua, then Padua,
Then we open again, where?
In Venice!

My friend and I were asked to be in the play because we could tap dance. The tap number was Too Darn Hot.

2. What food(s) would you recommend a foreign visitor try when they visit your home country?

Well, even though there's more than corn in Indiana, I would want a foreign visitor to try some delicious fresh sweet corn. For the authentic experience, one must roll it in butter and add a little salt if desired. Mmmmm...

Here is Matthew enjoying some corn last summer.

And I would top off the meal with Sugar Cream Pie.

3. What's a lie you often tell yourself?

That someday, I'll have an organized house.

4. What's something you're good at that might surprise us? Remember this is a family friendly blog!

If you read my answer to #1 carefully, you know the answer: tap dancing. Although it has been a while....

My first dance recital, age 4. I'm pretty sure my mom made my hat out of an oatmeal container. At recital time, I was the only one still left in the class, which meant I had to do my dance on stage all by myself. My mom thought I was too young for Barbies, but promised me one if I would do it. I walked off the stage after my routine and asked, "where is my Barbie?" I did get one, as promised.

I remember the fringe on this costume was really long when we got them, and our moms cut it off, much to our dismay.

That's me on the left, my best friend Ann on the right. We danced together for 18 years. She sometimes reads this blog. Hi Ann!

5. Who is your favorite animal character from a book?

I have many favorite animal characters, and I loved reading horse books as a child, but the first one that came to mind was Wilbur, from Charlotte's Web. I remember Miss Elston reading it to our class every day after lunch in fourth grade. I'm sure some of the kids probably put their heads down and went to sleep, but I loved every part of the story. I loved the barn, the animals, the county fair, and the girl named Fern.

I also loved that Wilbur was Some Pig, and Terrific, in the eyes of his friend Charlotte. Our kids watched the cartoon version when they were young, and I'm sure they remember these lyrics:

Oh wow look at him now
Zuckerman’s famous pig
Sooey, what do you see
The greatest hog in history...

6. April showers bring May flowers...do you have a green thumb?

No, but one of the stories Jim's mother told me about him was that one day little Jim got his coat and hat on and headed next door to Grandma's because he wanted to see her green thumb. Someone had told him that she had one. :)

The photo below is of Jim, being held by Grandma Mary Stewart (with the green thumb), with his sisters and brother. Summer 1961.

7. Speaking of rainy days...which one of the following activities would you most want to spend time doing on a rainy day-

sort photos and create albums

bake cookies

read a good book

hold an all-day movie marathon

organize closets, cupboards, or bookshelves

try a new recipe

fix something that needs fixing

Definitely read a good book.

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

It's wedding week!
We have been busy putting the finishing touches on all the details, and getting the timeline set to go. On Saturday, we worked on printing programs. We had quite an efficient system.

If you look closely, you'll see that Bryan took his ribbon cutting job very seriously, and invented a ribbon holster to facilitate the process. Very clever.

The printer had a good workout, and the programs are all printed, folded, punched, and tied.

We are looking forward to a great weekend celebrating the marriage of Jennifer and Bryan. We are hoping the day goes smoothly, and we will remember the words of our wise pastor, "at the end of the day, you'll be married." Amen.

Just for Kicks

On Saturday, I woke to a beautiful sunrise and a crisp, cold morning.

Of course it was cold... grandson Matthew had a soccer game!

I enjoy watching youth sports. Here, Matthew handles the ball, while the defenders stop for a little conversation in the background. :)

Now they're getting back in the game. And did I mention it was cold? The players were probably okay, but the spectators were freezing!

In the second half, or quarter, whatever they were playing, Matthew was the goalie. Here he is ready for the action to begin. I am not sure how big they thought the goalie was going to be when they selected this jersey, but I guess it might have helped him stay warm. It was cold, you know.

Here he is throwing the ball after making a save.

The goalie is the only player allowed to pick up the ball during the game.

I love the intensity on his face in this one.

And he throws it again. He made several good saves, and I don't believe the other team scored while he was in the goal. I may be wrong, though, because it was very cold, and I get a little distracted when I'm cold.

Another save! Great job, Matthew!

Here he is looking downfield to see where he wants to throw the ball.

And here he is, giving someone some kind of instructions. Or maybe he's saying, "Granny, you go on home, now. It's cold out here!" And I did. :)

Week in Review

On Sunday morning, I woke up to three dogs: Mackey, the black dachshund belonging to David and Shylah, Emma, the corgi belonging to Jennifer, and Gumbo, the shelter dog belonging to me. Looks like a three dog morning.

Monday evening, I attended a jewelry party, and took this photo of the beautiful dogwood tree in the front yard. My favorite!

Beautiful Margaret wanted to pose in front of the tree in her pretty party dress.

On Tuesday morning, I snapped this picture of the sunrise.

Tuesday afternoon, I took Gumbo to the groomer for a haircut. I think he needed one!

On Wednesday, Emma and I headed up to Indy early, with Pee Wee in tow for his spring check up at the vet.

Wednesday was also this little girl's 6th birthday. Her mom sent me a photo of her wearing her new jacket. It should fit for a while! Happy Birthday Margaret!

Jennifer and I combined the trip to the vet for Pee Wee with some wedding meetings and a chance to work on the seating chart. We enjoyed her patio as we worked.

On Thursday, this came in the mail. What a smart guy!

Oh, and when I went to Blogger to write my post for today, it's all different! Changed. Things in different places. Oh.... my.... How do you feel about change? Does it throw you for a loop, or are you good at coping with change? I guess I try to remember the old saying that, "the only thing constant in life is change." Or something like that. Have a great weekend!

Blogging, Babes, and a Bride-to-Be

Well, I have been on a bit of a blogging break, 

mostly because this little girl...

is getting MARRIED a week from Saturday. 

Oh my, there has been much doing and planning going on here, 

and it has not left me much time for the little ol' blog. 

I'm sure you have missed me, right? 

We have been working hard on those fun and special wedding touches, 

and I hope to share some of that after the wedding.

I did take a few photos with my phone last weekend, and planned to share them on Monday as a 'weekend update', but, alas, it is already Thursday, and I am just now getting to it. 

I know, blogger fail.

Jonathan asked me to go to lunch last week, and I always take that as an opportunity to swing by Rural King while we're out so that he can help me purchase the necessary horse feed and shavings for PeeWee, who will be 30 next month. I think that calls for a horsey birthday party, don't you? Anyway, it is a much easier task with the help of a big strong guy like Jon, so I bribe him with lunch. 

Works every time. Well, almost every time. :)

While we were browsing in Rural King (don't be jealous), we stopped to look at the tanks of baby chicks. They are cute, but like all babies, they grow up. Into big chickens. Which is fine if you like big chickens.

The baby ducks were cute too.

This tank had only two little ducks left. 

Which would make it difficult to purchase the minimum of 4 required according to the sign. 

I thought they looked a bit lonely.

On Friday evening, we had a dinner with the kids and friends at our favorite, El Reparo. 

Andrew and Ella enjoyed the festive meal.

Saturday afternoon, I headed to Purdue for Moms' Day with Adam.

 I filled up the Tahoe on the way. Ouch!

Adam posed in front of his door, the same room that Andrew lived in at the fraternity house. 

We did some shopping, and then had dinner with his class of brothers and their mothers.

Meanwhile, Jennifer was being treated to a bachelorette party/weekend with some of her best girlfriends. They sent me a few pictures throughout the evening so I could see the fun they were having.

While they were celebrating, I was driving home in this. Yuck!

I love this one of Jennifer with her sisters-in-law, Darci and Shylah.

Jennifer had a great time, and was properly pampered and partied as the pretty bride to be. 

The countdown continues!

An Easter Brunch

After church on Easter Sunday, we enjoyed a lovely brunch at Hillcrest. Dara, just back from spring break in Florida, and Samantha, just turned 15!

Adam, happy to have an internship for the summer, and Alli, looking forward to her own birthday later this month.

Shylah and David, happy that their drive home took a mere 1 hour 40 minutes. Yay for a new job in Dayton!

Ted and Cheryl, who came from their (still new) home in Carmel to join in the festivities.

Jonathan and Evan. One smiling, one not.

The brunch buffet was filled with many delicious choices. Beautiful fruit...

shrimp...

several varieties of meat...

and a delicious looking dessert table.

Jennifer was eyeing my mimosa.

Continuing around the table, Jennifer and Bryan, counting down the (very few) days until their wedding.

Nana and Boomie, our gracious hosts for the meal.

Pastor Jimmy, celebrating his birthday with us after leading the services at church. A big day for Jimmy! And Jim, enjoying a good meal, as usual.

We had quite a group at the table.

We had a cake for Pastor Jimmy

and Samantha, to celebrate their just-a-day-apart birthdays.

They managed to blow out the candles,

and we all enjoyed the delicious cake.

The girls headed to the car after lunch.

The golf course looked beautiful enough to play a round.

What a great idea! Some of the boys had a change of clothes and clubs in the car. What luck!

Jonathan has to play every day or so, or he gets a little grumpy.

The boys love their golf, but it proved to be quite windy and difficult on this Easter Sunday, so they came home and gathered in the basement in time to watch Bubba Watson win the green jacket.
Happy Easter indeed!